Is Smallpox Treatable?
Smallpox Treatment:

Unfortunately there is no cure for smallpox. After the symptoms start, treatment consists of giving the person fluids to prevent dehydration and medicines to control pain and fever. The person must be isolated until all the scabs have fallen off which takes around 3 to 4 weeks after the rash first appears. After this stage an antibiotic is given in order to prevent secondary skin infections.

external image Smallpox_vaccine.jpgexternal image Smallpox_vaccine_injection.jpg

Smallpox Vaccine:

The smallpox vaccine helps the body develop immunity to smallpox. The vaccine is made from a virus called vaccinia. The smallpox vaccine contains the "live" vaccinia virus. For that reason, the vaccination site must be cared for carefully to prevent the virus from spreading. The vaccine will not give you smallpox. The Smallpox vaccine can last 3 to 5 years and the immunity will decrease after that.



Home | Smallpox: An Overview | Shitala Mata | Smallpox Symptoms | Smallpox Treatment | Smallpox Prevention | Smallpox Facts | Works Cited